Old man in audience sings song 'God Bless Barack Obama' (IA)

A song for Obama

by John McCormick, updated

Keywords: God Bless Barack Obama, old man, audience, sings, song, IA, Winterset, Jerry Triplett, fun, jokes, humor, town hall, laugh

WINTERSET, Iowa – A man broke out in song here at a campaign event late this afternoon for Sen. Barack Obama.

After telling the Illinois Democrat he had a campaign sign in his yard, Jerry Triplett, 73, seated near the front of the audience, asked a question about Iraq. But the Winterset resident said he had something he wanted to do before getting Obama's answer.

"I was wondering if I could do a song for you," the retired high school guidance counselor asked.

"Of course," Obama responded. "How long is it?"

"Not very long," Triplett said.

So, to the tune of "God Bless America," he started voicing an Obama-filled song.

"God bless Barack Obama. Fellow we all love. Stand beside him, and guide him, through the night with the light from above. From his family, so proud and strong, to his good friend Oprah, who could do no wrong…."

Well, you get the idea. If you are curious about the rest, it will almost certainly make the cable news channels.

"That's what I'm talking about," Obama said, after the man finished. "I just want you to know he's not a plant. I've never seen this guy in my life. I don't know, we might have to take him on the road…He's got a nice voice….That, undoubtedly, will be the highlight today."

When the next person asked a question, Obama had a question of his own.

"You're not going to dance, are you?" he asked.